Steam Blocks Adult Games in Early Access

by Bruno Pferd September 16, 2025

written by Bruno Pferd September 16, 2025

Key Takeaways

Created with AI - we're still experimenting, so apologies if it misses the mark

Steam has implemented a new policy as of September 2025, banning games with adult themes from their Early Access program due to increased pressure from payment processors and banks.
This policy change affects newly submitted games with adult content on Early Access, but existing titles remain unaffected.
The new policy was evident when Valve, Steams parent company, rejected Dammitbird Studios game Heavy Hearts for Early Access.
Developers can still launch their completed adult-themed games on Steam, but they will no longer be able to use the Early Access program for such content.

Steam Enforces New Policy, Bans Adult Games in Early Access from September 2025

Steam’s Early Access policy changed effective September 2025, now blocking games with adult themes from Early Access. This decision stems from increasing pressure from payment processors and banks, which have been tightening restrictions on explicit content. Dammitbird Studio encountered this new policy firsthand when Valve, Steam’s parent company, rejected their game, Heavy Hearts, for Early Access. Valve informed the studio that the game could launch once completed, but not through Early Access. The updated guidelines specifically target new games with adult content, but this change does not affect titles already launched in Early Access.

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